29TH Annual International Tugboat Race on
the Detroit River June 25, 2005*Pictures courtesy
Boatnerd.com

With the roar of diesel engines and lots of black
smoke, the 29th Annual Detroit-Windsor Tugboat race began on Saturday afternoon. Tugboat races started back in
1949 and for many years they
were discontinued. In 1976 the International Freedom Festival started the
tradition once again. In 2003 the International Freedom Festival declared
bankruptcy and the future of the race was in limbo. Local Detroit tug man Brian
Williams, with help of numerous companies, individuals and the Detroit and
Windsor Port Authorities was able to organize the event keeping the tradition
alive.